EPA awards $16 million contract for Superfund cleanup of radium-tainted soils in Orange and South Orange, New Jersey.NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 4, 1996--The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), independent agency of the U.S. government, with headquarters in Washington, D.C. It was established in 1970 to reduce and control air and water pollution, noise pollution, and radiation and to ensure the safe handling and (EPA EPA eicosapentaenoic acid. EPA abbr. eicosapentaenoic acid EPA, n.pr See acid, eicosapentaenoic. EPA, n. ) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have awarded a Superfund contract to remove soil over the next two years that contains radium-226 and other radioactive materials from 59 properties scattered around the cities of Orange and South Orange. The contaminated contaminated, v 1. made radioactive by the addition of small quantities of radioactive material. 2. made contaminated by adding infective or radiographic materials. 3. an infective surface or object. soil will be disposed of at a licensed, out-of-state facility. The radioactive metal radium radium (rā`dēəm) [Lat. radius=ray], radioactive metallic chemical element; symbol Ra; at. no. 88; at. wt. 226.0254; m.p. 700°C;; b.p. 1,140°C;; sp. gr. about 6.0; valence +2. Radium is a lustrous white radioactive metal. decays to form radon gas. Exposure to radon gas and/or the ingestion ingestion /in·ges·tion/ (-chun) the taking of food, drugs, etc., into the body by mouth. in·ges·tion n. 1. The act of taking food and drink into the body by the mouth. 2. of radioactive dust particles can cause an increased risk of certain types of cancer. EPA has already taken measures to minimize potential exposure at properties where unacceptable radiation levels have been found. These measures include the installation of systems to reduce radon exposure inside affected homes. Sevenson Environmental Services The various combinations of scientific, technical, and advisory activities (including modification processes, i.e., the influence of manmade and natural factors) required to acquire, produce, and supply information on the past, present, and future states of space, atmospheric, Inc. of Niagara Falls Niagara Falls, waterfall, United States and Canada Niagara Falls, in the Niagara River, W N.Y. and S Ont., Canada; one of the most famous spectacles in North America. The falls are on the international line between the cities of Niagara Falls, N.Y. , N.Y. was awarded the contract, in the amount of $16 million, to remove radioactive soil and restore the properties. The total cost of this action, including disposal, is estimated to be $28 million. Funds from the federal Superfund Trust will cover 90% of the cleanup cost; the State of New Jersey will fund the remaining 10%. EPA Regional Administrator Jeanne M. Fox said, "The removal of the radioactive soils is an excellent demonstration of how the federal Superfund program provides assistance to people whose homes and lives have been impacted by past industrial practices. Because the work will involve the removal of radium-tainted soils from around homes, there will necessarily be disruptions in the daily routines of affected residents. EPA will take every step to minimize these disruptions." New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) is a government agency in the U.S. state of New Jersey that is responsible for managing the state's natural resources and addressing issues related to pollution. NJDEP now has a staff of approximately 3,400. Commissioner Robert Shinn said, "We are pleased to see the project progressing. Reducing radon gas is an environmental priority that we all share. I commend EPA for taking this action." The radioactive waste materials originated at the former U.S. Radium Corporation site located between High and Alden Streets in Orange where radium was processed or utilized from 1917 to 1926. Waste material from the plant was used as fill material at a number of properties in the vicinity of the facility, and at a number of more distant "satellite" properties. EPA is identifying additional contaminated lots in an ongoing survey of 383 properties in Orange and South, West and East Orange. As of today, 56 more properties will be cleaned up in the next phase of the action. After addressing the contaminated residential properties, EPA will clean up the plant site itself. CONTACT: EPA Rich Cahill, 212/637-3665 Email: Cahill.Rich@EPAMAIL.GOV |
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